Tier 4

[Laughnaff]

In Scotland here. We are a tier 4 from Boxing Day, but driving along I’m still seeing groups of teenagers walking around. whole families in supermarkets, no social distancing. Guy across the road having a hot tub party, the girl next door having sleepovers. Most of us are sticking to the rules. But the schools aren’t going back till the 18th, what’s the point if lots of people aren’t sticking to the rules just now. I’m angry as I have to take time of work unpaid as I’m not an essential worker but still have to go to work. Some kids in my street are out playing, but they have places in the school hub. Those families aren’t sticking to the rules. I’m not jealous but bloody angry with the people who aren’t sticking to the rules

Im in Scotland too, just back from a walk at a country park with my son, and it was v busy with groups. Both my children are primary aged. I was, possibly naively, quite surprised by what I saw, but I understand people are fed up. Your anger won't change anything other than causing you more stress, you can't control what other people do, just focus on yourself and your family and keeping well. What else can you do?

Thank you, My thread is a big waffle, sorry. I’m just so worried about childcare from the 11th of January. I’m going to speak to my boss but I don’t think being furloughed is going to happen. Yes Good advice, it’s out of my hands, I’m just going to concentrate on my family. Thank you for your answer xxx

It's ten months in now- Compliance is wavering, it's natural. People are tired.

I'm in Northern England and haven't legally been able to see my partner indoors since July. I'm cracking and I'm seeing him NYE's.

I work from home, I do online shopping, my contacts are low, so this is one decision where I feel comfortable weighing up the risks to see my partner. At this rate, it will be almost a year- I think there were three weeks in July when I could legally see my partner, since March. I can't do it any longer.

Can groups of kids meet up in a park if they are all part of the same bubble at school?
My daughter age 8 has been invited to a birthday get together in a park with a few others from her class. We are tier 4 and I am not sure whether it is ok.

@FoxinaScarf are you in England or Scotland? In England you can’t but in Scotland they can I think.

No they can't @FoxinaScarf. The school bubbles only apply during school hours, certainly not halfway through the holidays. If you're in tier 4, you can only mix outside with members of your household or 1 other person. I.e 2 people can go for a walk together but that includes children. Birthday party in a park is not allowed.

You can if you are in Scotland. Children under 12 are permitted to meet outside and do not have to socially distance.

From SG website.

Ah didn't know about Scotland @LoopyGremlin. It's spread massively through my children's primary school so am surprised they have excluded children.

I know how you feel OP.

I have just sacrificed my Xmas with my family and it doesn’t help when it feels that nobody else is playing by the rules ... no matter how long this has gone on or how fed up people are, until people start abiding by the rules the numbers are just going to keep on going up and Tier 4 will just be a permanent state!

@Stokey
Fortunately the rates in Scotland are far lower than in England. I’m in Edinburgh with around 129 cases per 100,000. The SG don’t want it to spread out of control though so have put all of mainland Scotland into tier 4 to try to slow it down. Schools are not physically reopening until 18 January either.

FoxinaScarf

Can groups of kids meet up in a park if they are all part of the same bubble at school?
My daughter age 8 has been invited to a birthday get together in a park with a few others from her class. We are tier 4 and I am not sure whether it is ok.

This is why it’s spreading and other people have to live with the consequences of others who are not following the rules. People are having to take unpaid leave from work, can’t see family members because of the stupidity of others!!

@Laughnaff that’s a little harsh, if she’s in Scotland were you are it’s totally within the rules.

I'm in Glasgow just back from Asda where a group of teenagers have taken the hand sanitiser spray and are given you a soaking as you approach the main entrance.😆😆
Shops and roads are busy.

It's infuriating, but I try to just focus on doing what I can.

We went for a walk in the park (Tier 4 England) and there were extended families - grandparents (plural so not single person bubble), parents, children etc and 3 couples all standing close together with their children running round between them mixing etc etc

Sorry if Iv came across quite rude but I’m really worried, I’m due to go back to work soon. I have no childcare from the 4th of January. They aren’t furloughing us, I work for a shoes retailing company. That have an internet section. They are open but it’s not essential. I took the job as it’s school hours. I’m not a keyworker. What can I do. I have to go to work and the schools aren’t going back till the 18 th at least. Surely that’s what the furlough scheme is for?

I agree it is, they really should furlough you. Have they said why they won’t? The guidance seems to say that childcare as a result of coronavirus (which I would assume includes forced school closures) is a reason for furlough.

its bonkers. This week my child can't meet a friend in the park because they would both need adults with them. But next week, due to the amazing non-virus powers of schools, she'll be able to mix/touch 42 other children in her class.

This week I can't meet my mum or dad because they are in tier 2 and I'm in tier 4, but this week is my only safe week until Easter. Next Monday it'll be totally fine for me to be in a room with 25 children and another adult, without any mitigation measures.

Until they make schools safer, I'm going to do what I like.

You can request furlough but it's completely up to your employer whether they grant it or not. It's not cost free to them after all. The only alternatives if you're unable to work are to request annual leave or unpaid leave.

As for the birthday party, if you're in Tier 4 in England, it's definitely not allowed. One person can meet one other person from another household and that's it. School bubbles only apply at school. Sorry op!

I know it’s so unfair, I’m going to have to ask for unpaid leave, I won’t be touching my holidays in January. Not everyone can work from home.

I've heard that the shops Next and Curry's are open along with other random shops such as a sofa shop with no one social distancing etc. I'm So disappointed to hear this.